Wagering Game System Secure Identification Module

ABSTRACT

A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player. In a further embodiment, the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/570,717 and 60/581,206 filed May 13, 2004 and Jun. 18, 2004, respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to wagering gaming systems, and more specifically to a secure identification module in a wagering game machine.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE/PERMISSION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings hereto: Copyright© 2003, WMS Gaming, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of gaming devices are now available to game players and to casino operators in computerized form, from slot machines to games that are traditionally played live such as poker and blackjack. These computerized games provide many benefits to the game owner and to the player, including greater reliability than can be achieved with a mechanical game or human dealer, more variety, sound, and animation in presentation of a game, and a lower overall cost of production and management.

Computerized video game systems must be designed with many of the same concerns as their mechanical and table game ancestors - they must be fair, they must provide sufficient feedback to the game player to make the game fun to play, and they must meet a variety of gaming regulations to ensure that both the machine owner and game player are honest and fairly treated in implementing the game. Further, they must provide a gaming experience that is at least as attractive as the older mechanical gaming machine experience to the game player, to ensure success in a competitive gaming market.

Many computerized wagering game systems have the ability to identify or recognize game players, by use of devices such as magnetic stripe identification cards resembling credit cards. Such a card is typically issued to each player, and is used for tracking player preferences, accumulating reward points for playing, and for tracking progress in progressive games. Each player simply keeps the card the casino issues, and inserts the card into the gaming machine to identify himself to the gaming machine before playing. But, because the cards are subject to being misplaced or stolen, extending use of the cards to storing monetary value is a risky endeavor. In systems having value stored on such cards, the player must treat the card as cash—if the card is lost, the value stored on the card can be wagered or cashed out by anyone who is able to physically obtain the card.

This presents a problem not only for game players, but for casinos and wagering game manufacturers. Casinos want game players to trust the technology they are using, and don't want to spend time, money, and other resources to resolve issues with lost or stolen cards. Game manufacturers similarly want to offer casinos systems that are simple, secure, and easy to manage.

For these and other reasons, a more secure user identification module is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides in one embodiment a computerized wagering game system having a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The wagering game system further comprises an a secure user identification module including a biometric user identification element, such that the game player can remove and keep the secure user identification module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a computerized reel slot gaming system, as may be used to practice an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a secure user identification module employing fingerprint recognition, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a secure user identification module employing an optical eye scanner, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of sample embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific sample embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The present invention provides in one embodiment a computerized wagering game system having a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an interface to receive a secure user identification module. The secure user identification module includes a biometric user identification element, such that the game player can remove and keep the secure user identification module.

FIG. 1 illustrates a computerized wagering game machine, as may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. The computerized gaming system shown generally at 100 is a video gaming system, which displays information for at least one wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered on video display 101. Alternate embodiments of the invention will have other game indicators, such as mechanical reels instead of the video graphics reels 102. The game of chance is played and controlled with various buttons 103, and in some embodiments also with a pull arm 104 to initiate reel spin. Value is wagered on the games, such as with tokens, coins, bills, or cards that hold value. The wagered value is conveyed to the machine through a changer 105 or a secure user identification module interface 106, and winnings are returned via the returned value card or through the coin tray 107. Sound is also provided through speakers 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a secure user identification module. The device includes an interface 201 operable to couple the secure user identification module to a wagering game machine, and a fingerprint reader portion 202. In one particular embodiment, the interface is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, which further is operable to power the secure user identification module. The fingerprint reader portion 202 is operable to scan a finger, and to authenticate the identity of the game player based on the finger scan. In other embodiments, a variety of other biometric authentication devices are employed in place of fingerprint reader portion 202. The secure user identification module is operable to indicate to the wagering game machine that identity of the game player has been authenticated via the interface 201.

Fingerprint evaluation is among the oldest and most widely accepted methods of identification, and is therefore relatively likely to be easily understood and accepted by wagering game players. Fingerprints vary from person to person, even between supposed identical twins, and so make unique identification of a user possible based on the fingerprint alone. Fingerprint scanning typically involves detection and characterization of the relative positions of various fingerprint characteristics, including starting and ending points of ridges and ridge defects or branch points. The physical location and type of these various characteristics are recorded, and are matched against a previous record of the same fingerprint for authentication. For this reason, storage of the fingerprint record is desirably secure, to prevent forging a fingerprint by drawing or modeling a fingerprint based on data from a lost or stolen secure user identification module.

In some embodiments, the secure user identification module also comprises a nonvolatile memory or other data storage area, where the gaming machine's access to the data storage is restricted at least in part until the secure user identification module has authenticated the game player's identity. In other embodiments, the secure user identification module is encoded with an identifier such as a serial number that identifies the game player to the wagering game machine, and the fingerprint reader portion 202 or other biometric measurement element simply reports fingerprint metrics and a serial number to the wagering game machine, which matches the scanned fingerprint to the serial number and authenticates the game player's identity.

The secure user identification module has varying degrees of processing power in various embodiments of the invention. For example, the fingerprint scanner secure user identification module of FIG. 2 in some embodiments analyzes the fingerprint to authenticate the game player, and decrypts stored data, making it available to the computerized wagering game machine via interface 201. In other embodiments, the secure user identification module simply comprises a biometric authentication device and some unique identifier indicating the owner of the device. A limited amount of memory or processing power is included in some further embodiments, such as where a secure user identification module is able to analyze biometric information and provide an identifier indicating the identity of the game player, but not to store or process large amounts of data.

Because embodiments of the secure user identification module having memory are able to secure the memory such that it can be accessed by a wagering game machine only after authentication of the user, such a device is a practical and secure way to store monetary value or credits for the wagering game player. Value may be either encoded directly into the nonvolatile storage of the secure user identification module, or in alternate embodiments is stored within a networked server and is accessed once a game player's identification has been confirmed via the secure user identification module. Similar systems are employed in further embodiments for tracking and managing a game player's promotional points for having played or wagered a certain amount, for storing preferences such as volume levels and other game settings, and for storing game progress data to preserve a persistent state or to record a game player's progress or position in a progressive game.

The biometric information portion of the secure user identification module will also take various forms in different embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of a secure user identification module including an optical scanner portion 301 as well as an interface 302. The optical scanner portion is used in various embodiments for eye recognition, such as for retina or iris recognition, or for face or other recognition of the game player. Eye-based biometrics are presently among the most secure methods of biometric identification, and so provide a relatively secure means of authenticating a game player. The iris is the colored portion of the eye, behind the cornea. The colored ring of textured tissue that forms the iris has a unique structure, which is relatively stable throughout a person's life. Typical iris identification systems work by scanning the iris by scanning concentric rings around the pupil, and by recording the variations in color or texture.

Falsifying an eye is difficult because a photograph or other representation of an eye will not refract light the way a normal eye will. Further, natural pupillary motion can be observed, and can further assist in rejection of models or photographs. In more extreme cases, the iris also is among the fastest body parts to decay after removal from a human body, making separation of a subject's eye for identification purposes impractical.

Similarly, the retina of an eye is made of a unique pattern of blood vessels on the back of an eye, and is optically visible through the pupil. Scanning the retina for identity authentication typically involves projecting a beam of light into a relatively still eye, which makes retinal scanning in some respects less desirable than other methods, such as iris, fingerprint, or face recognition. Still other embodiments will use other biometric identifiers, such as camera or other sensor recognition of other body parts, or voice recognition via a microphone.

The interfaces 201 of the secure user identification module of FIG. 2 and 302 of the secure user identification module of FIG. 3 are in some further embodiments of the invention secured, so that any electronic devices monitoring the interface or placed between the secure user identification module and the wagering game machine will not be able to receive useful data. Establishing security over an electronic interface is well-known in the art, and takes various forms, including exchanging a session key with a key exchange protocol. In such a system, a session key to be used for that communications session only is generated by either the secure user identification module or by the computerized wagering game machine. The session key is then securely exchanged through one or more exchanges of encrypted data between the wagering game machine and the secure user identification module. Such systems prevent intercepting or altering the data exchanged via the interfaces, and prevents impersonation of a secure user identification module by simply recording and replaying its interaction with the wagering game machine.

In other embodiments, the form factor of the device will vary, such as by being implemented in a card format or other format. Also, the connector's physical configuration will change from standard configurations in some embodiments, to provide enhanced security. For example, a card may feature a unique card edge connector configuration or contact pad configuration over which USB signals are carried rather than using a traditional USB connector, to prevent recreational hacking of the device or unauthorized reading or alteration of its contents.

The security device is in some examples a radio frequency identification module, operable to communicate with a wagering game machine using radio frequency signals. In one example embodiment, the radio frequency secure user identification module comprises a biometric identification element such as a fingerprint reader, and is operable to authenticate the user to the wagering game machine only upon biometric identification. In another example embodiment, a biometric identification element is resident in the wagering game machine, and is used in combination with the radio frequency secure user identification module to authenticate the user to the wagering game system.

One embodiment of a radio frequency identification module includes a biometric interlock associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) component which enables or disables access to the RFID component. With this embodiment, a biometric system, such as the fingerprint reader 202, or other biometric reader is used to activate or deactivate (or both) the response of an RFID chip that wirelessly communicates with a gaming machine. One result is that the RFID is owner specific. If the owner loses the biometric interlock, another party finding the biometric interlock is not able to use it. With this embodiment, the RFID is biometrically-enabled.

The enhanced security provided by the various secure user identification modules described herein will also be of use in some embodiments for other functions, such as for authentication of a game administrator or regulating authority. For example, a game administrator may use his secure user identification module to prove his identity before being able to enter a service menu, or to change odds or other such settings on a wagering game machine. Similarly, a regulator may be able to view but not change such settings after authenticating himself to the wagering game machine via a secure user identification module. Some further embodiments will require the administrator's secure user identification module to be used via an interface that is also physically secure, such as via a USB port located inside the locked cabinet of the wagering game system.

Currently, the Nevada Gaming Commission and other Gaming Commissions are evaluating whether to allow different forms of communications technology, such as the internet, satellite, interactive television, and other such communication mediums to facilitate remote wagering within their jurisdictions. The public policy behind such gaming regulation is to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly, free from corruptive elements, and that unauthorized patrons are not allowed to gamble (i.e. minors, trouble gamblers, citizens living in states where gambling is illegal, etc.)

As such, there is a need to find a solution for these jurisdictions to ensure that the patron is authorized to gamble, and that when gambling out of the public view (such as inside a hotel room, a private living room, or on a wireless PDA at a pool) that it is not possible for a minor or non-authorized person to wager over the system, particularly outside the presence of the authorized patron. The biometric technology of the present invention, such as on the Sony Puppy device, solves this problem by ensuring that patrons who seek to gamble remotely (i.e. out of the spotlight of a casino floor and surveillance cameras) are in fact legally authorized to gamble remotely.

For example, gaming operators, regulators, or manufactures could ask patrons to input/record their fingerprint on a device that contains the Puppy's biometric fingerprint technology. Once a patron's fingerprint is taken initially, it is recorded in the Puppy device and no other person can then use that Puppy device without that original patron being there to provide a matching fingerprint. Since Puppy devices would only be given to patrons who are qualified to gamble remotely in that particular jurisdiction, non-authorized gamblers could not gamble outside of the presence of the authorized patron. This is because all gaming devices or terminals in that jurisdiction, whether it is a home computer, interactive TV, mobile phone, or PDA would require a game player to connect the Puppy identification device (such as via a USB port or a wireless connection) to access that person's account and to begin gaming from a remote location.

Authorized patrons would therefore be forced to carry the Sony Puppy device or other such biometric device with them so that they can use it to match their fingerprints with the original fingerprint recorded in front of a legally authorized operator or other such representative during the initial registration and verification process. This ensures that the remote player in such situations is in fact a patron that meets the Gaming Board's criteria as someone who is authorized to gamble remotely.

Many more variations on secure identification and secure data storage exist, and are within the scope of the present invention. One such technology is LaserCard's non-erasable optical storage card, described in greater detail at www.lasercard.com. RF or other technologies also enable some devices to simply be placed near a reader to initiate interaction, such as with certain devices like SpeedPass that can be used to store credit or as identification. Timex, as an example, has incorporated SpeedPass technology into a wristwatch, as described at www.timex.com/speedpass. Similar devices can be used as credit cards, as value-carrying debit cards, or as identification in various embodiments of the present invention as well as in more traditional applications. Still other technologies are emerging, such as write-once PEDOT (polyethylenethioxythiophene) arrays having massive storage capacity relative to present CD and DVD storage densities. Such technologies will be readily adaptable to the methods and systems described here, and are within the scope of the present invention.

User identification can be utilized in a wagering game system for a variety of purposes in addition to storage of credits, such as to tailor incentives to a particular player based on the player's statistics or tendencies. For example, a player that never uses awarded show tickets but always uses restaurant credit can be principally offered restaurant credit as an incentive. Wagering game systems can similarly track their own use, and offer coupons or other wagering game establishment promotions to customers passing by, awarding the incentives to wagering game players based on their authenticated user identification. In a further example, wagering games that aren't used as heavily can be more aggressive in offering such promotions in an effort to obtain better utilization of all machines in a wagering game establishment.

In another embodiment, gaming machines include an interface between a gaming machine and a portable biometric device that communicates customized incentives to the player based upon the player's statistics and tendencies. This interface is capable of luring players with coupons or other casino based promotions as the players walk by the gaming machine. For some embodiments, gaming machines that are not used as frequently as others are programmed to be more aggressive in solicitations. For some embodiments, incentives are offered that have attributes predicted to appeal to the player. It is believed that players would become more interactive with gaming machines offering these incentives.

Such enhancements result in a more interactive and personal gaming experience for the wagering game player, and provides incentives and attract mode offers that can be associated with a particular wagering game player. This results not only in a wagering game experience that is more engaging, but enhances the wagering game player's enjoyment of other events, facilities, and other special offers presented to identified wagering game players.

The example embodiments of the present invention illustrated here have shown how a secure user identification module may be employed in conjunction with a wagering game machine to authenticate a user's identity. Once a user's identity is confirmed, a wide variety of additional functions and features of both the secure user identification module and the wagering game machine may be enabled or accessed, examples of which where described herein. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims, and the full scope of equivalents thereof. 

1. A computerized wagering game system, comprising: a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.
 2. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.
 3. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.
 4. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.
 5. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.
 6. The computerized wagering game system of claim 5, wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.
 7. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.
 8. A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising: executing gaming code to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and verifying a game player identity via a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.
 15. A machine-readable medium with instructions encoded thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wagering game system to: conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and verify a game player identity via a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.
 16. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.
 17. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.
 18. The machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.
 19. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further operable to store monetary value via the secure user identification module.
 20. A secure user identification module, the secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removably attachable to a wagering game system such that the module may be retained by a game player.
 21. The secure user identification module of claim 20, wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.
 22. The secure user identification module of claim 20, wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.
 23. The secure user identification module of claim 20, wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.
 24. The secure user identification module of claim 20, wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.
 25. The secure user identification module of claim 24, wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.
 26. The secure user identification module of claim 1, wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.
 27. A computerized wagering game system, comprising: a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an secure user identification module interface operable to couple the wagering game to a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.
 28. The computerized wagering game system of claim 27, wherein the secure user identification module interface is further operable to interface with a nonvolatile memory comprising part of the secure user identification module.
 29. The computerized wagering game system of claim 28, wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.
 30. The computerized wagering game system of claim 27, wherein the wagering game is further operable to store monetary value via the secure user identification module. 